Eyvind Kinnrifi : A Day Of Honor ( 02/09/2015 )

February 9th, is a sad, but proud day on our Asatru calendar. It is the day we honor one of our martyrs, Eyvind Kinnrifi, who was tortured and killed for no other reason than his love and loyalty to the old Scandinavian and Germanic Gods and Goddesses, and refused to be baptized, and convert to Christianity. It amazes me that people were tortured and killed simply for honoring a God, or Gods, that were not a part of the mainstream( accepted) religion of their time, but in reality it was very common place in Eyvind' s era.

On this day we honor Eyvind Kinnrifi, who was captured, tied to a table, and tortured to death in a most horrible way. A brazier filled with red - hot coals was placed on his stomach until his body, it is said, literally burst open. This act of sadistic torture was perpetrated by that evil Christian King Olaf, who deemed all Pagans as fair game for torture and death if they would not convert.

There is no greater act of love and loyalty than to give the ultimate sacrifice for something that you have total faith in. Eyvind gave his all for the Gods and Goddesses, his ancestors and his folk. That is the "Tru" person that Eyvind Kinnrifi was, and that is why we honor him, and all those who laughed in the face of death to honor their faith and their folk. These martyred men and women showed a level of bravery that many could not attain a thousand years ago. Most simply gave in and switched religions, which is why they have been long forgotten, but some, like Eyvind will be remembered forever in our hearts, and in our prayers to the old Gods.

Cattle die and kinsmen die,thyself eke soon will die;but fair fame will fade never,I ween for him who wins it !

- Havamal

"For your bravery, loyalty, and love of our ancient Gods and Goddesses, we honor you here this day, as you honored all of us a millenium ago. For your ultimate sacrifice we will remember you, and honor you always. May you forever sit on the hallowed benches in the great halls of Valhalla !

Hail to our martyrs !

All Hail Eyvind Kinnrifi !

"After that, King Olav had Harek called to talk with him and bade him be baptised, but Harek spoke against it. The king and Harek talked about this for many days, sometimes with their men present and sometimes alone; but still they were not agreed. Finally the king said to Harek, " Now shalt thou go home and I will not do thee harm this first time. The reason being the close kinship that exists between us, and also I do not want to be accused of treachery. But know this to be true, I will come north this summer and I shall seek ye Haleygers. You shall then learn if I can punish those who resist Christianity. " King Olav then allowed Harek to leave, and even gave him a boat, and thirty well armed men to aid him.

Harek then left from there as quickly as he could and returned to Tjotta where he sent a message to his friend Eyvind Rough - Chin, that he had met with King Olav but had not allowed himself to be forced into being baptised and converting to Christianity. He also told of King Olav's warning that he would go against this summer, and that he should come at once to him. When Eyvind came to Tjotta he met with Harek and they talked for a short time. King Olav's men had, however, followed Harek north and captured Eyvind, and placed him on their ship.

They did not stop their journey south until they came to Trondheim. Here they found King Olav in Nidaros. Eyvind was then brought before King Olav who asked him to be baptised like other men. Eyvind answered nay to this request. King Olav went on to tell of the good graces of Christianity as did the bishop. But still Eyvind did not agree. The king then offered him both gifts and lands to be baptised. Eyvind said no to every incentive. This angered King Olaf who vowed Eyvind injury or death. Nothing would sway Eyvind. The king then had a bowl brought in full of glowing cinders, and set in on Eyvind's stomach, and very soon the great heat made his stomach burst open. Eyvind then said : " Take the bowl away: I will speak some words before I die. " The king asked Eyvind for a last time if he would believe in Christ. Eyvind answered : " Nay, I cannot receive baptism. I am a spirit quickened in man's body by the wizardry of the Finns, for my father and mother had no child before that was done." After this last statement Eyvind died. "

- Heimskringla

The best way to honor our faithful martyr Eyvind Kinnrifi is to make our religion strong enough to withstand any and every attack against it ! The foundation is set ! Let us build a religious base that is as solid as any mountain, and one that rises to new heights of faith in the Aesir everyday ! If we do this our martyrs will not have died in vain !